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T. MGUUSKER' ART OF DECORATING SHELLS. N0.'320,94'7. I Patented June 30, 1885.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

THOMAS MOOUSKER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

ART OF DECORATING SHELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,947, dated June 30, 1885.

Application filed October 22, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, THOMAS MoGUsKER, of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have made a new and useful Improvement in the Art of Decorating Shells, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the annexed drawings, forming part of my specification, in which Figure l is a perspective View of a shell decorated in my improved manner; Fig. 2, a sectional View through shell, showing drilled holes; Fig. 3, a sectional View through shell, showing drilled holes connected by out line.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, practical, and efficient method of making lasting marks upon the smooth, hard inside surfaces of shells; and it will be found of especial value in making shells for graves or for ornamental household and garden pur poses. Owing to the smooth, hard, imporous surface of the inside of shells, paint or coloring material will not remain upon it, especially where the shell is exposed to the influences of the Weather. In order to leave a lasting colored mark upon this inside surface of shells it is necessary to cut through this smooth, hard, glassy surface with a sharp tool and insert coloring material in line thus made; and owing to the character of this smooth surface and to its peculiar configuration, being in conformity with the irregularities of the shape of the shell, it is difficult if not impracticable to cut by regular lines with an edged tool such figures as are ordinarily desirable to be out upon shells for ornamental use or for inscription-pieces for graves. But I have devised a means for cutting into this inside surface of shells so as to make readily, speedily, and cheaply a mark upon this inside shell surface that will receive a coloring material and retain the same, making a lasting and defined 1 engraving.

The operation of my invention is as follows: \Vith a drill I bore a hole directly intothis 45 smooth inside shell surfacea hole such as (No model.)

the holes shown in the drawingsand I drill as many more of such holes in the same manner, at even distances apart, as I see fit to mark the outline of any design, figure, or letter that may suit the fancy, and these drilled holes, to complete any particular design, figure, or letter, I connect readily together by drawing a line with an edged tool from one hole to the other. I then rub paint or any coloring material on this inside surface of the shell in and about the cut impressions, and allow the same to dry. When dry, I wash the smooth surface of the shell, thereby removing the coloring material from the smooth surface; but it remainsin the cut impressions. This is rapidly, cheaply, and easily done; and it re sults in a useful or ornamental device, enhancing'very much the value of the shell as an article of trade. The mark thus made will last as long as the shell, and the shell thus marked is useful in gardens for ornamental purposes for designating plants and flowersand as an inscription-piece for graves.

I claim- 1. As an improvement in the art of decorat ing shells, marking the outlines of a figure by drilling holes in the inside surface of theshell, connectingthese holes together by a out line, and inserting a coloring material in the figures thus engraved,substant-ially as described, and for the purposes specified.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a shell the inside surface of which is engraved with a figure or figures made by drilling holes in the smooth inside surface to form the outline of a particular figure, uniting these holes by a cut line, and inserting a coloring material in the engraving thus made.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of twowitncsses, this 17th day of October, 1884.

THOMAS MOOUSKER.

Vitnesses:

RAUL BAKEWELL, J. W. RIDDLE. 

